Experience Wins Out in Marlborough Silver Secateurs

Heavy rain may have postponed the 2008 Marlborough Silver Secateurs
competition, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of competitors when it kicked off on Sunday 20 th July.

In what was the largest ever competition held in the province, more than 100
individuals took part in an array of events. It was the experience of the old hands that shone through on the day, with previous winners taking out the top spots in a number of events.

Overall Champion Open Pruner on the day was George Barrett, who is no stranger
to the Silver Secateurs. While he said he has had his eye on the Open Pruning title for a number of years, the closest he has come before this year, was third. He said he couldn’t wait to represent the province at the upcoming Nationals.

Second place getter in the Open Pruning event was Rakakau Smiler, a former
Marlborough champion, in 2006.

In the Open Tying event Samuel Clay picked up his first regional title, with second place going to Akenese Lonitenisi.

It was a case of déjà vu for the winning team – SPLA Contracting Ltd # 1 (Paea
Lonitenisi, Akeneses Lonitenisi and Paea Pulu,) – as they took the Team event out for the second year running. Again the experience not only as a team, but also as individuals shone through. Back in 2006, Paea Pulu was the former Novice Pruner, while Akenese placed second in this year’s Open Tying event.

Wine Marlborough Marketing Manager Marcus Pickens said the importance of the
event can not be underestimated.

“Pruning is one of the most important events in the cycle of the vineyard, so it vital to acknowledge the people who are doing that job,” he said. “It is also interesting to see how much the event has grown, mirroring the increased plantings we have had as a region. Its no surprise that this year saw a record number of competitors and also increased sponsorship of the event showing our industry suppliers also recognise the job these hard working people do.”

Six competitors will represent Marlborough at the upcoming National Silver
Secateurs, to be held in Waipara in August.

The SPLA Contracting team, along with George Barrett, Rakakau Smiler and
Samuel Clay will be snipping, stripping and tying in an effort to bring the national title back to this region.

The full list of winners from the Marlborough 2008 Silver Secateurs:

Novice Tying
1st – Rungruedee Inplaeng
2nd – Tom Tangjai
3rd – Lisa Helizians Ribeiro

Novice Pruning
1st – Tao
2nd - John Bates
3rd - Mark Rogers

Open Tying
1st – Samuel Clay
2nd - Akenese Lonitenisi
3rd - Varunee Cameron

Open Pruning
1st -George Barrett
2nd -Rakakau Smiler
3rd – Roy McEnroe

Teams
1st – SPLA Contracting Ltd #1 – Paea Lonitenisi, Paea Pulu, Akenese Lonitenisi
2nd – Grapeworx #2 – Rawin Sunanta, Phichit Khrueaphuk, Kattaleeya Tangjai
3rd – Vinecraft II – Samuel Clay, Alex Viana, Kaumoana Ria

Gold Sponsors were Yealands Estate, Bahco, Fruitfed Supplies, Ormond Nurseries,
Gordon Handy Machinery Ltd, Bayleys, The National Bank and The Marlborough
Wine Research Centre.

ENDS

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